USDA proposal, July 8 deadline for action! PLEASE ACT TODAY!

This is a message from the ferret health list yahoo groups, any ferret owner needs to act upon this, it is very important. This means Marshall farm ferrets would not be going to any pet store (Petsmart, Petco) selling ferrets that are too young to be taken from it's mother, and will be weaned.

A few years ago we worked hard to convince the USDA to create ferret-specific regulations governing their transport and care. The inside word we have gotten is that the ferret industry is too small to warrant the creation of such rules.

However, they have created a generic proposal that will set an 8-week and weaned requirement for the transport of any warm-blooded animal.

The deadline for comment is JULY 8, 2008! WE MUST ACT NOW!!

Below is a brief description of the proposal and how to submit your comments. A sample letter is also attached. Feel free to use it, modify it or write your own.

The main point is that we agree that an 8-week minimum age for transport is beneficial to ferrets, both domestic and black-footed.

Please feel free to cross-post.

Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org

---
The American Council for Ferret Health, Welfare and Policy, Washington, DC

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: July 8, 2008

AGENCY: Federal – USDA – Animal & Plant Health Inspection Agency

REFERENCE: [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024] RIN 0579-AC14
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 2 Proposed Rule
“Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals”

NOTICE: USDA has posted a Period for Public Comment on these regulations.

IMPACT: Regulations for FERRETS would match those currently in place for DOGS and CATS, FERRETS would be required to be weaned and at least 8 weeks of age prior to removal from their mothers and transport to a Retail facility, exhibit, etc. For young animals used in research, the research must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) along with provisions specified as to care of animals during transport, if the animals do not meet the minimum age requirements of 8 weeks.

WHY YOU SHOULD RESPOND: New regulations, while not specific to FERRETS, would impose new requirements where no prior requirements have existed for FERRETS.

SUMMARY: US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations by adding minimum age requirements of 8 weeks for the transport in commerce of animals. Current regulations require dogs and cats to be weaned and a minimum of 8 weeks of age before they can be transported from the breeder location to a retail store or other venue. No regulations currently exist for FERRETS or other warm-blooded species. The Proposed Regulations would allow, provided certain conditions are met, for animals to be transported without their mothers for medical treatment and for scientific research before reaching the minimum age and weaning requirement. Setting MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS of 8 weeks for the transport in commerce of animals and providing for the transport of animals that have not met the minimum age requirements are necessary to help ensure the humane treatment of these animals.

INSTRUCTIONS: Submit your comments online or by mail: [SEE SAMPLE FORM LETTER]

1) ONLINE: Federal “eRulemaking” Portal: Go to
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2\
006-0024
Click on "APHIS-2006-0024-0001" to view the proposal, and on the icon in that row in the Comments column to add your own comment.

You may also view the comments submitted by others there.

2) OR MAIL 2 COPIES SIGNED COPIES OF YOUR LETTER TO:

USDA – APHIS: Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700
River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1231; (301) 734-7833.

-------------
Sample letter:

[YOUR LETTERHEAD]
[name/address]
[July -- , 2008]
RE: 9 CFR Part 2 [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024] RIN 0579-AC14
PR: “Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals”

United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Regulatory Analysis and Development
PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing in support of the above referenced PROPOSED RULE (PR) to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations by adding minimum age requirements for the transport in commerce of animals. We are aware that the current regulations address age limits for dogs and cats, but that no corresponding regulations exist for ferrets.

We agree and strongly support your proposal to amend the current regulations to restrict the transport of ferrets that are less than 8 weeks of age, unless certain conditions have been met, as outlined in the PR.

For both the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and the wild black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), establishing federal minimum age requirements for the transport in commerce of ferrets, and providing for the transport of animals that have not met the minimum age of 8 weeks of age, are necessary to help ensure the humane treatment of these animals.

[ADDITIONAL: YOU MAY ADD EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED IN THE
PAST, OR YOUR REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROPOSED RULE]

Sincerely,
[SIGNED - YOUR NAME]






ferrets

Cool Video about a Lion

Several years ago this woman found a sick, malnourished lion cub in the jungle. She took the cub home, fed him and raised him.  When he was too big to keep anymore, she made arrangements with a sanctuary in Columbia to take the lion. This video of what happened when she went to visit him for the first time.

 

video Streaming

del.icio.us Tags: animals,animal video

Ferret found in dumpster, left for dead

Another ferret found in a dumpster. My reaction - I'm angry - I don't understand how someone can just throw a living animal in the trash?

Furry guest at Humane Society finds a home

By Scott Mims
Saturday, March 15, 2008 8:45 PM CDT

Lily the ferret has had her share of misfortune. She has had two broken legs, one of which is still on the mend.

According to the family that brought her in to the Chilton County Humane Society last Tuesday, she was found in a dumpster left for dead.

"She was nearly dead, dehydrated, and ate up with fleas," said Shelter Manager Jennette Creel.

Article about Ferrets being seen as "Disposable Pets'

I have tears reading this article from the American Ferret Association. It's about the woman in Virginia Beach - 97 ferrets seized and 61 had to be euthanized because of poor health. WHY DID SHE NOT ASK FOR HELP?

"MANY THINGS ARE LOST FOR WANT OF ASKING"
CHINESE PROVERB

The article continues about "the disposable ferret". People buying ferrets, not realizing the commitment they need to make. In this busy world, if you have kids and work, you have little time left for anything else (I was there at one time). These animals are like children, and as an owner you have to take the time to keep them happy and healthy, creating a deep bond. They are not like cats or dogs at all. They are totally dependent on you and crave human interaction. I don't work or have kids, and I don't cage my ferrets, so I'm able to spend a lot of time with them.

Here's the link to this article: 97 ferrets seized in Virginia Beach

Humane Society wants my money

I received an envelope from The Humane Society of the United States. They sent me some lovely gifts - 4 real cute animal note cards and envelopes, return address labels, some animal stickers, a membership card, a window sticker to show my membership and a four page letter. All they want in return is money for membership. The smallest amount is $5.00. I wonder just how much it cost to send all this? Of course it's for a good cause - the end animal abuse, but they play to your emotions. go to their website, and all you see is words and pictures of horrid animal abuse. I read enough about animal abuse with ferrets, and of course it make me real sad. I wonder just how much money goes for "administration".

According to this website :

Despite the words “humane society” on its letterhead, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not affiliated with your local animal shelter. Despite the omnipresent dogs and cats in its fundraising materials, it’s not an organization that runs spay/neuter programs or takes in stray, neglected, and abused pets. And despite the common image of animal protection agencies as cash-strapped organizations dedicated to animal welfare, HSUS has become the wealthiest animal rights

HSUS is big, rich, and powerful, a “humane society” in name only. And while most local animal shelters are under-funded and unsung, HSUS has accumulated $113 million in assets and built a recognizable brand by capitalizing on the confusion its very name provokes. This misdirection results in an irony of which most animal lovers are unaware: HSUS raises enough money to finance animal shelters in every single state, with money to spare, yet it doesn’t operate a single one anywhere.

And what makes me really angry - Ferrets being the third most popular pet in the US, here's the HSUS Statement on Ferrets as Pets . Only 3 articles on ferret pet care are on their website.